Synopses & Reviews
This long awaited and thoroughly updated version of the classic text (Plenum Press, 1970) explains the subject of electrochemistry in clear, straightforward language for undergraduates and mature scientists who want to understand solutions. Like its predecessor, the new text presents the electrochemistry of solutions at the molecular level. The Second Edition takes full advantage of the advances in microscopy, computing power, and industrial applications in the quarter century since the publication of the First Edition. Such new techniques include scanning-tunneling microscopy, which enables us to see atoms on electrodes; and new computers capable of molecular dynamics calculations that are used in arriving at experimental values.
Chapter 10 starts with a detailed description of what happens when light strikes semi-conductor electrodes and splits water, thus providing in hydrogen a clean fuel. There have of course been revolutionary advances here since the First Edition was written. The book also discusses electrochemical methods that may provide the most economical path to many new syntheses - for example, the synthesis of the textile, nylon. The broad area of the breakdown of material in moist air, and its electrochemistry is taken up in the substantial Chapter 12. Another exciting topic covered is the evolution of energy conversion and storage which lie at the cutting edge of clean automobile development. Chapter 14 presents from a fresh perspective a discussion of electrochemical mechanisms in Biology, and Chapter 15 shows how new electrochemical approaches may potentially alleviate many environmental problems.
Review
about the First Edition:
`A superbly written teaching book which should become indispensable to every student of electrochemistry.'
Journal of the American Chemical Society
`A truly extraordinary achievement ... An enormous body of electrochemical knowledge and a wealth of stunningly penetrating detail.'
Journal of the Electrochemical Society
`A must.'
Nature
about the second edition:
`These original, stimulating and informative volumes offer an unusual approach and inter alia provide an excellent entrée to the field for the non-specialist.'
Emeritus Professor Douglas Inman, Dept. of Materials, Imperial College, London
Review
about the First Edition:
`A superbly written teaching book which should become indispensable to every student of electrochemistry.'
Journal of the American Chemical Society
`A truly extraordinary achievement ... An enormous body of electrochemical knowledge and a wealth of stunningly penetrating detail.'
Journal of the Electrochemical Society
`A must.'
Nature
about the second edition:
`These original, stimulating and informative volumes offer an unusual approach and inter alia provide an excellent entrée to the field for the non-specialist.'
Emeritus Professor Douglas Inman, Dept. of Materials, Imperial College, London
Synopsis
This book had its nucleus in some lectures given by one of us (J. O'M. B. ) in a course on electrochemistry to students of energy conversion at the University of Pennsyl- nia. It was there that he met a number of people trained in chemistry, physics, biology, metallurgy, and materials science, all of whom wanted to know something about electrochemistry. The concept of writing a book about electrochemistry which could be understood by people with very varied backgrounds was thereby engendered. The lectures were recorded and written up by Dr. Klaus Muller as a 293-page manuscript. At a later stage, A. K. N. R. joined the effort; it was decided to make a fresh start and to write a much more comprehensive text. Of methods for direct energy conversion, the electrochemical one is the most advanced and seems the most likely to become of considerable practical importance. Thus, conversion to electrochemically powered transportation systems appears to be an important step by means of which the difficulties of air pollution and the effects of an increasing concentration in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide may be met. Cor- sion is recognized as having an electrochemical basis. The synthesis of nylon now contains an important electrochemical stage. Some central biological mechanisms have been shown to take place by means of electrochemical reactions. A number of American organizations have recently recommended greatly increased activity in training and research in electrochemistry at universities in the United States.
Table of Contents
10. Photoelectrochemistry.
Appendix 1: A Brief Note on Electroluminescence and Electroreflectance.
Appendix 2: Electrochemical Preparation of Semiconductor Electrodes.
Appendix 3: High Desolution Techniques in the Study of Semiconductor Surfaces.
11. A Few Selected Aspects of Organo-Electrochemistry. Source of Further Information on Organo-Electrochemistry.
12. Charge Transfer, Surface and Civilization.
13. Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage. More on the Storage of Electricity.
14. Bioelectrochemistry.
Appendix: Dynamic Membrane Potentials.
15. Environmentally Oriented Electrochemistry.